Cream Buns, cherry slices and chocolate cakes, indeed all sorts of other mouthwatering treats have long graced the English table. At one time though, afternoon tea did not even exist. Then one day things began to change, dramatically. World famous authors, even fiction authors wrote about it; in fact Enid Blyton’s books immortalised how much there was to eat and how enjoyable it was.

It was originally started, according to some sources, in the 19th century because dinner was not served until after 8 or 9pm and people grew hungry during the long afternoon. Those who could afford it, sat around and ate afternoon tea at about 4pm, but the working classes got in from work and ate High tea at about 6pm.

Later in the 1950’s memories of afternoon teas' show us lots of chocolate cakes, piles of sandwiches and as Enid herself said, and I quote: ‘Lashings of Ginger beer!’ This was for the children at least.

For the adults’ afternoon tea, and this was much more refined; there were neatly cut cucumber sandwiches with the crusts removed (of course!), canapés, delicate pastries and then the crowning accolade the CAKES and BUNS. Ahh! How lovely they were, and how many came along with such deserving honour:

Ode to the scone

How lovely you sit,
Filled with fresh cream and jam,
Or for a more modern twist some Parma ham,
Your crinkly sides, so warm, crisp and brown,
Takes me only a second to devour you down!

And it was not just the scones, cream cakes, chocolate éclairs, strawberry pies. The great English tea had such a reputation for its cakes, puddings and pies that many wealthy English grew afraid they would grow quite rotund when eating such wonderful fare and the tables groaned under the sheer weight of the spread! In fact George III was so preoccupied with the fact that he might put on weight, he was know for frugal eating. Edward VII was indeed a great king, known not only for being endowed with wisdom, but also a remarkably round figure and excellent cut of jacket!

High tea was more substantial and has now been replaced by supper. It included crumpets or lovely things on toast with loaves of bead and spreads, hams, cheese etc. It was the main meal of the evening for the working classes. Plain fare it may have been, but how good it tasted.

But now in the time of good green responsibility and looking after ones health properly; the good old English teas have to be few and far between, so the poem changes:

The Cream Bun

Oh! Lovely cream bun, sitting scrumptiously on the plate,
I want to eat you, I just can’t wait!
“Be still.” I tell my conscience, “Be quiet!”
“You can’t eat buns, you’re on a diet!”